How to Treat a Slow Crop

Slow crop is a fairly common condition in hand-reared baby parrots. It is characterized by a reduced rate of crop emptying between feedings, which is usually noticed when the chick's crop still contains a significant amount of food at the next feeding. The most common causes of slow crop include excessively low brooder temperature, dehydration and feeding formula that is too thick for the chick to digest properly. Slow crop can usually be successfully treated at the breeder's facility, but persistent cases should be evaluated by an avian veterinarian. Here are some ways to treat slow crop.

Things You'll Need

  • Accurate thermometer
  • Hand-feeding formula
  • Plain papaya baby food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the brooder temperature using an accurate thermometer. Many cases of slow crop are caused by a low brooder temperature. If the temperature is lower than expected, even by a single degree, adjust the brooder's thermostat to compensate. If you have recently reduced the brooder temperature, you should return it to its previous setting. In the case of a bird which has been recently moved from a brooder to a weaning cage, return the bird to the brooder for a few more days, or take measures to safely warm the weaning cage. Often increasing the room's temperature by a few degrees will resolve the problem.

    • 2

      Feed the affected baby bird a modified hand-feeding formula for the next 24 hours. To make the modified formula, mix one part formula powder with two parts water and one part plain papaya baby food or pureed papaya. Papaya contains papain, an enzyme that will liquefy the formula, making it easier to digest and helping to eliminate the accumulation of formula in the bird's crop.

    • 3

      Before each feeding, gently massage the crop to soften and break up any remaining formula. Never massage the crop if it is more than half full, since this can cause the bird to regurgitate and aspirate.

    • 4

      Re-evaluate the crop emptying rate after the first 24 hours has passed. If the bird's crop is emptying normally, you should gradually return to feeding the usual formula mixture over the next 24 hours. Delay any environmental temperature reductions for the next three to four days.

    • 5

      Contact your avian veterinarian if the bird's crop is not yet emptying properly after 36 hours have passed. Although uncommon, persistent slow crop can lead to a much more serious condition known as sour crop. Sour crop occurs when the formula remaining in the crop ferments, causing gas buildup, pressure and serious illness. Your veterinarian may need to flush the bird's crop to remove the soured formula.